A: Metered street parking is available and public parking lots are located on West 26th between 7th and 8th Avenues, West 28th between 7th and 8th Avenues, and West 28th between 6th Avenue and Broadway.

Q: Are there bike racks?

A: Yes, on the northwest corner of Seventh Avenue and 27th Street

Q: Is there a coat check?

A: No, unfortunately there is no place to check your coat and bag at the Museum.

Q: Is the Museum wheelchair accessible?

A: Yes.

Q: Where can I get a bite to eat?

A: There are numerous restaurants and cafes in the area. Please see our Area Attractions page for more information.

A: All guided and self-guided groups must make advance reservations for visits. For more information, please see our Group Tours page. We advise registering your self-guided group, as we can often accommodate you at hours when the galleries are closed to the general public.

Q: How can I see an object from the Museumís permanent collection in person?

A: At any given time, there are at least 100 objects from the Museum's collections on view to the public in the galleries. Objects not on view in the galleries are available to a select group of people. Please see our Research Opportunities page for more information. There are also over 900 objects on view in our Online Collections.

Q: Is photography permitted in the Museum?

A: Non-commercial still photography for personal use is now permitted in designated galleries. Flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are not allowed. At times photography may be prohibited in certain galleries or of specific objects due to lenderís restrictions. Movie and video cameras are always prohibited. For press and other special photography, including film and video projects, please contact the Department of External Relations during business hours by phone (212-217-4700) or email: press@fitnyc.edu. For requests to reproduce museum images for purposes other than private and noncommercial, please visit the Rights and Reproductions page on our website.

Q: Are visitors permitted to sketch in the Museum?

A: Sketching with pencil is permitted. However, pens, paints, markers, charcoal, and easels are not permitted. While sketching, please do not hinder visitor traffic flow in the galleries.

Q: Does the Museum have a lost and found?

A: If you have left something behind at the Museum, call the FIT security office at 212 217.7777.

Q: Can I host an event at the Museum?

A: The Museum is not available for private events. However, many spaces on the FIT campus are available for rental. Please see Facilities Rental.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

Q: How many visitors a year does the Museum get?

A: The Museum receives approximately 100,000 visitors annually.

Q: Why are the light levels so low in the galleries?

A: Textile-based objects are extremely vulnerable to fluctuating temperatures and humidity, as well as to bright lights. The light levels are kept low in order to prevent the materials from fading or disintegrating.

Q: What is meant by the term ďpermanent collectionĒ?

A: The permanent collection of The Museum at FIT consists of objects that the Museum owns. (It does not include works temporarily on loan to the Museum.) The Museum at FIT currently owns approximately 50,000 garments and accessories and 30,000 textiles. The Fashion & Textile History Gallery is dedicated to the display of permanent collection objects. The Special Exhibitions Gallery features a combination of permanent collection objects and loan objects. Gallery FIT primarily exhibits loan work of FIT students and faculty. Permanent collection objects are on display in the annual Graduate Student exhibition.

A: The Museum does not collect unsolicited fashion items except those by major designers.

Q: How do I find out how much an object in the Museum collections is worth?

A: The Museum does not disclose the monetary values of objects in its collections.

Q: Can you tell me the value of a costume, accessory, or textile that I own?

A: The Museum does not provide monetary appraisals. To determine the value of an object you should consult a reputable appraiser or auction house.

Q: What is the relationship of The Museum at FIT to the Fashion Institute of Technology?

A: The Museum at FIT is a division of the college, itself which is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.

Q: How does the Museum use the information it collects about its online visitors?

A: Please see the Museum's Privacy Policy for information about the privacy of its online visitors.

WEBSITE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, LINKING, AND PRIVACY POLICY

Q: May I put unaltered images and captions from the Museumís website on my personal website?

A: Yes, so long as the site takes in no advertisements and no sponsors, does not charge a fee for services, and does not offer any product or service for sale. The images must remain unaltered. All of the accompanying caption information must be included without alteration, and the citation should include the URL http://www.fitnyc.edu/museum.

Q: May I print selected images or text excerpts from the Museumís website for a school report?

A: Yes, if it is a personal or academic work, and not for publication in any medium. The images must remain unaltered. All of the accompanying caption information must be included without alteration. You should cite the source as you would any printed work; the citation should include the URL http://www.fitnyc.edu/museum. This type of use is encouraged; all other forms of publication are expressly prohibited.

Q: May I put unaltered images and captions from the Museumís website on a file server or database at my school or museum?

A: Yes, but only if there is no charge for the user and if electronic distribution is of limited term to your school or museum. The images must remain unaltered. All of the accompanying caption information must be included without alteration, and the citation should include the URL http://www.fitnyc.edu/museum.

Q: May I put images or text from the Museumís website on a CD-ROM, public domain or otherwise?

A: No, unless explicit permission has been obtained in writing in advance from The Museum at FIT.

Q: How do I obtain permission for other forms of publication?

A: Anyone wishing to use materials from the Museumís website for purposes other than as listed above must obtain prior written approval. Permission for such use is granted on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of The Museum at FIT. A usage fee may be charged depending on the nature of the proposed use. Please visit our Rights and Reproductions page for more information.

VOLUNTEERING / JOBS

Q: How do I volunteer at The Museum at FIT?

A: The Museum at FIT is unable to accommodate volunteers. However, MFIT does offer a select number of Graduate Student Internships. To apply for an internship at MFIT, please visit our Internships page for application information, deadlines and forms.

Q: How do I apply for an internship at The Museum at FIT?

A: MFIT offers a select number of Graduate Student Internships. To apply for an internship at MFIT, please visit our Internships page for application information, deadlines and forms. Internships are unpaid, but interns may receive graduate school credit where this is applicable.

Q: How do I apply for a job at The Museum at FIT?

A: The Museum at FIT is a division of the college. All jobs applications and resumes should be submitted directly to Human Resources.

A: Financial contributions are most welcome and needed! Donations of money can be made by sending a check made out to The Education Foundation of the Fashion Industries. It should be mailed to the Museum, attention: Directorís Office, 227 W. 27th Street, Room E304, New York, NY 10001-5992. For bequests, or other unique contributions, please contact the Directorís Office by emailing museuminfo@fitnyc.edu.

Q: How do I donate clothes, accessories, or other fashion related material to the Museum at FIT?

A: The Museum at FIT has long benefited from the publicís generosity in building its collections. We continue to welcome gifts, however not every object is right for the Museumís collections. If you have something you believe belongs in our museum contact Laura Gawron at laura_gawron@fitnyc.edu. You must be able to send a description and images of your proposed donation. If emailing images, please limit the file size to 2mb. Information will then be forwarded to the appropriate curator. Please be aware that unsolicited donations are not accepted. For more information about our careful process for reviewing all gift offers and what to expect, please visit our Donations and In-Kind Gifts page.

MEMBERSHIP

Q: How do I become a member of the Museum?

A: The Museum at FIT does not offer a general membership since it is free to all visitors. However, the Museum does offer a membership to our Couture Council, a philanthropic circle of friends. To learn more about the benefits to this high level membership, please visit our Couture Council page.
MAILING LIST

Q: How do I add my name to your mailing list?

A: If you would like to receive electronic mailings from us, please sign up here. If you would like to receive paper mailings, please email museuminfo@fitnyc.edu and request to be on our paper mailing list.